MNSW (Hons) Adult Nursing & Social Work Course Preparation
To help you feel confident and ready to begin your MNSW (Hons) Adult Nursing & Social Work studies, we’ve put together everything you need to start preparing. Below you will find key department contacts, where you’ll be learning and practical tips to help you make a smooth transition to university. Read on to find out what’s waiting for you.
Important: Occupational Health
You’ll be allocated an Occupational Health (OH) appointment at the clinic being held at our Ormskirk campus. The clinics will be held within the first weeks of starting the course.
Please remember that it’s a condition of entry to the programme that you’re cleared and immunised by OH. If you don’t meet this requirement your place on the programme could be jeopardised. It’s also important to remember that if you’re not fully cleared by OH, you won’t be able to fully enrol on your course. This could then mean you can’t access your maintenance loan via Student Finance England.
So, to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible, you’ll need to provide details of your immunisation record to the OH Team when you complete the questionnaire.
If you’re unable to attend your allocated time slot, you must contact us, preferably giving at least 24 hours notice. If you’re unable to give 24 hours notice or have an issue on the day of your appointment, please email [email protected] or call the team on 01695 650946. The OH and School team will try to provide another appointment, but this is likely to be at the OH department based in Wigan and you will need to make sure that you attend.
Some of our placement settings may also require you to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of placement. If you’re not vaccinated or are part way through vaccination, please let us know as soon as possible. It’s likely that this will be included on your immunisation record which will be sufficient to confirm your clearance.
We routinely collect data on short notice cancellations and non-attendance. Unfortunately, if this happens more than once, the University will charge you the full cost of the appointment.
Where your learning will take place:
Your learning will take place in our Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine.
- Large lecture theatres – where you’ll learn the main theories and concepts for each module.
- Small group teaching rooms – where you can discuss what you’ve heard in your lectures and complete activities related to your lecture.
- Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre – where you can get hands on with equipment and practise in a safe environment.
- Smaller tutorial space – for a more intimate and personalised learning session.
Learning in this environment will enable you to undertake practical scenarios in realistic settings, providing ideal preparation for professional practice placements and future employment.
Prepare for university
We know that you’re aware that studying at university will include hard work. But succeeding at university is more than academic ability alone. There are a few skills that you can start developing now, so that you’re a pro when it comes to the start of your studies in September.
- Time management – you may have to juggle assessments, lectures, work and social activities. Developing strong time management skills early on will help you to prioritise deadlines, stay organised and make the most of your time.
- Critical thinking – university study encourages you to question ides, evaluate evidence and form your own informed decisions. You’ll be expected to engage critically with the work you’re studying in a professional, academic manner. Your opinions matter, so don’t be afraid to share them.
- Teamwork – some modules may require you to work with others on your course to complete tasks and discuss analytical findings. Learning how to contribute confidently and work collaboratively as part of a team is a key professional skill.
- Independent work – in contrary to the above, it’s also important to be able to work independently. The majority of your work will need to be submitted individually, so it’s important you take ownership of your learning. And if there is something that you don’t understand, make sure you ask your tutor.
- Self-motivation – you’ll be encouraged manage your own workload. That means you won’t have a teacher chasing you for deadlines. So it’s important that you hold yourself accountable and make the decision to put the work in.
To remind yourself of your modules, please visit your course page:
If you’d like some preparatory reading, you can search for reading related to your course on our online reading list.
Materials you may need:
It’s a good idea to wait until you start your course to buy any books or specific equipment as your tutor will be able to provide more details about what is essential. And our library may be able to provide you with reading materials. But there are a few things you may want to consider.
Before your course begins you should read about the different regulatory bodies and their standards.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
The NMC have produced standards of proficiency that have to be met in order for you to be able to register, practice and remain registered as a nurse. The NMC are the professional regulatory council for Nurses and Midwives in the UK and Nurse associates in England. They do not register any other professions under their regulations.
What do the NMC do?
- They maintain the register of Nurses and Midwives who meet the requirements for registration in the UK
- Set the requirements of professional education that supports people to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for entry to, or annotation on, our register
- Investigate serious concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates fitness to practice and take action if needed
- Shape the practice of professionals in developing and promoting standards including the code, and lifelong learning through revalidation
Social Work England are the professional regulatory body for qualified Social Workers in England. They do not register any other professions under their regulations.
What do they do?
- Keep a register of professionals, known as ‘registrants’ who meet the standards
- Set standards for professionals’ education and training and practice
- Take action if professionals on the register do not meet the standards
To learn more about the standards that apply to you, visit the SWE website.
Useful websites:
- British Association of Social Workers | BASW
- UNISON
- RCN – Home | Royal College of Nursing
- World Health Organization
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- Department of Health and Social Care
Materials you may need:
It’s a good idea to wait until you start your course to buy any books or specific equipment as your tutor will be able to provide more details about what is essential. And our library may be able to provide you with reading materials. But there are a few things you may want to consider.
- A fob watch with second hand
- Mini dictionary for Nurses
- Access to the British National Formulary (BNF)
- Academic diary – a staple to help you with your time management as well as upcoming tasks in both your academic and personal life.
- Notepads and pens – some people prefer to do this digitally rather than on paper, whichever you prefer, make sure you have the resources to complete any notes you’d like to take. If you like to write on a physical notepad, consider an A5 size so that it’s easier to carry around.
And of course, anything else that you like to use for your academic studies, like highlighters, flashcards and folders.
You may find it useful to visit The Nursing and Midwifery Council website to find detailed information about the professional codes and standards.
Before you arrive, check out our UniSkills workshops. These sessions are designed to help you to build the academic skills that you’ll use throughout your time with us and beyond. Keep an eye on your emails for more information.
Making friends
Starting somewhere new can feel daunting and that is completely normal. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to find out what activities and clubs/societies are available for you to get involved with. These are the perfect way to meet like-minded individuals who share your passions.
Make sure to use our Students Life portal keep up to date with all the student events happening at Edge Hill.
Your department contact
Accessibility
At Edge Hill, we want you to feel supported and comfortable so that you can thrive. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a wide range of resources, both online and on campus.
Through our Assistive and Accessible Technologies Toolkits, all students have access to software and apps on their devices, including Mind Mapping, Text-to-Speech, Help and learn, and Note-taking on their devices. You can find out how to use these toolkits here:
Assistive technology | Library and Learning Services | Edge Hill
We pride ourselves in being accessible to all, helping you make the best out of your university experience. With over £350m invested, Edge Hill offers state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated study spaces and on-campus accommodation.
We also have created a range of guides to help you plan and navigate life at Edge Hill. You can gain access to these guides here:
Accessibility on Campus – Edge Hill University
Our Brand
Earlier this year, Edge Hill’s brand evolved, introducing a fresh, modern look while continuing to represent our suffragette roots and pioneering spirit. The rebrand is not a reinvention, but a progression. An evolution of our identity, not an erasure of our past.
It builds on what has always made Edge Hill distinctive, expressing who we are today with greater clarity, confidence and ambition. Our brand honours our heritage while looking decisively to the future.
We are excited to introduce our rebrand to you and you can learn more about our brand story here:
